Signal lamp



Dec. 21, 1948.

E. E. WEBER SIGNAL LAMP Filed Aug. 20, 1945 INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 21, 1948 SIGNAL LAMP Earl E. Weber, Greene Township, Hamilton County, Ohio Application August 20, 1945, Serial No. 611,499

2 Claims.

1 This invention relates to improvements in signal lamps for selectively displaying different color light signals, as for thoroughfare traffic direction or crossing control and guidance.

An object of the invention is to provide a multicolored light signal displaying electric lamp of simple, cheap and light weight construction,

capable of production, marketing and use as a childs-toy, either as a self-sustaining portable unit or for ready application upon a post or other type of stationary support.

In'its embodiment as a toy, miniature low voltage electric light bulbs are employed with the electric power therefore supplied by dry cell electric'batteries adapted forencasement and storage with the lamp casing and the electric current circuits from the battery source to the light bulbs selectively controlled by a single manually operated switch accessible from the exterior of the casing of the lamp so as to comprise a self-contained portable unit, although the electric current supply source and circuit controlling means for the several light bulbs may be remote from the-lamp.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal lamp for selectively displaying diiierent multi-colored signals and embodying a fixture of multi-light reflectors formed of a single sheet of metal, the reflectors each confining the light emanating from a light source within the reflectorfor relatively displaying different colored light signals, the fixture fixed to and suspending or extending from a cap, as a closure for one end fora "sheet metal pipe, into which the reflector fixture is extended and sustained by the cap for encasement, the reflectors of the fixture each respectively in registration with an aperture through the casing, the aperture covered. by a transparent pane.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully set forth in the following description of the accompanying drawings, forming a -part hereof and depicting a preferred embodiment, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the lamp, supplied with a base for sustaining the lamp as a self-contained and portable unit.

Figure 2 is a side elevation with the base omitted.

Figure 3 is a central vertical section through the lamp.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4, 4, Figure 3, with the casing omitted.

Figure 5 is an enlarged section on line 5, Figure '3', of the deflector and electric light bulb carrying As a contemplated use of the lamp is as a childs toy, to be stationed at random in relation to a lane or walk used by children for riding pedal bikes, propelling toy wagons or transporting other Vehicular apparatus and thereby offering tramc signal educational advantages and entertainment to a child, it is essential that the construction of the lamp be simple, with a minimum number of parts for low cost construction and sale, recognizing that in some of its detail alteration can be readily made within the concept as shown, for better durability when the service of the lamp is extended beyond that as a toy.

Referring to the drawings, 1, indicates a cylindricai primarily constituting a section of determined length and diameter size of conventional sheet metal down spout or vent pipe, to permit its lower end to be readily conveniently engaged upon the end of a post or support or connected to an end of a corresponding size and selected length of pipe readily commercially available for a stationary and elevated mounting of the lamp. For portable use, as shown in 1, the lower end of the casing is provided with a wooden flat base 2, or other type of base, upon and to which the casing is socketed and fixed.

The casing longitudinally in aligned spacing or tier arrangement is provided with a plurality of apertures 3, therethrough, as window openings, three in number being included as shown to simulate a three different colored light system of conventional thoroughfare traffic directing signal lamp in which the difierent colored light signals are displayed in a consecutive order. The casing apertures or light emitting openings are shown, each as covered with a transparent film or sheet t, as of cellulose material, adhesively ap plied upon the interior side or the casing, as a pane for the opening, with the several panes relatively of different color and respectively as red, amber and green. It is recognized that the panes can be constructed as of lens form made of glass or transparent moldable plastic material, each bezel bound or rimmed and equipped for making a snap-on or other connection with the casing. For a toy, a flexible colored transparent sheet serves admirably, being replaced when one is torn or disrupted and presenting no hazard, as would a more rigid and fragile material.

An are shaped shield 5 extends laterally from. the exterior of the casing, one respectively for each light opening bordering the upper half section thereof. The upper end of the casing is closed by a cap it, having a socketed connection therewith and provides a support, removable from the casing, for an electric light bulb socketing and multi-defiector fixture "I, fixed to and extending from the inner side of the cap to depend therefrom longtiudinally of and into the casing when the cap is applied as an end closure for the casing.

The cap for a portable type of toy lamp, is preferably of an electric insulation material, as wood, for directly mounting thereon the various elements of a manually operative electric circuit controlling switch, so that the cover unitarily sustains all of the working elements of the lamp.

The multi-defiector fixture I is formed of a single sheet of -metalof channel form in crosssection, which'at one end has its'web -and side walls flanged by bending the ends thereof laterally providing tabs 8 for securing the fixture to the inner 1 side of the cap 5. The web of the channel atdeterminately spaced intervals is transversely slitted for its full width, the slit at: each of its opposite ends extending at right angles along the corners of the web and side walls-to adegreernecessary upon folding the section of the web bounded by the slitting inwardly and at a determined angle, bringing its free transverse edge in line relative portions of the side walls of the channel Such detail of construction is duplicated to provide a series or plurality of deflectors longitudinally of the fixture, in tier arrangement for the number of reflectors desired. The web portion of the channel forming thebottom of a deflector is punctured, preferably centrally of the deflector, for socketing an electric light bulb Ill, The puncturing of the metal forms an outwardly extended flange or burr, which is machined for screw thread cooperation with the threads of the stud, as the base of-manelectric light .bulb for securely and removablyzmounted the bulb within the reflector.

The fixture for each reflector has a yielding conductor or contact finger H, fixed to and insulated from a side wall of the channel with its free and bent to extend and overlie the socket opening of a reflector for making an electric circuit connection with the stud end or base of the light bulb.

The spacing of the reflectors when the fixture is suspended longitudinally within the casing I, exposes and respectively registers each reflector with the edges of the side walls and divergently to;aaecondconsecutive section with which it joins t o provide-opposing Wall sections 9, 9, and with with a relative window or opening 3, through the casing I.

, EFl'rel-ampfor-a seli containedunit has a man- .4,

ually actuated electric circuit controlling switch mounted upon the inner side of the cap 6, ,operative from the outerside by a handle l2. The handlel'z connects with a movable switch member 1-3 at the underside of the cap, limited in its are of rotation by a pair of suitably spaced stops [4, 14, extending from the underside of the cap. The movable switch member I3, in its arc of movement from a neutral position passes over to consecutivelyengage with a series of stationary contacts-l5,- each having a conductor connected theret as shown in dashlines Figure 3, leading to.,-an d [connecting with a respective conductor finger l0, mounted upon the reflector fixture for making a circuit connection with a light bulb of a reflector. The reflector fixture connects with one terminal or pole of a battery or power source and the movable switch member I3, with the 0p.- po'site terminal or pole of the power source,

Thus in a full arc of movement of the movable switch member 13, in alternate directions, as from and back to its neutral position it is brought into consecutive contact with the stationary contacts [5, of the series, relatively flashing each electric light bulb and each can be held active for a period desired by the operator.

The circuit control for the light bulbs and type of mechanical means for the electric circuit control is optional and may be from a point remote from the lamp. The casing is of suificient diameter, when the yreflectoriis equinped; with only a singledeflector fixture-for instal'ling a 'set of required number of dry cell electric batteries therein, particularly when of a size, as conventionally employed for hand flash lamps, and may be applied or clipped upon the reflector fixture to be in unity therewith: offering compactness and convenience in the renewal of the batteries.

This-,obviousthat the lamp may be provided with a plurality of reflector fixtures for relatively different-directional signal display, as from fore and aft and relative right and left sides for a four-Way display, with ,the; circuit control for the electric light bulbs to meetqthe.wdesires sof user, which in detail is recognized. as anrexpedliency independent of and formingno. parttof-ithe present invention.

The lamp casing constitutedasa sectionconfle, termined length size of drainSpOlltz01T1-VI11HP1P, may be any post size length, offering: sumcient stability when the lower end is imbeddedninaithe ground for permanently locating the ;lamp-,*;= for service other than a toy as for examplei'ialoug a private lane leading from a garage omformall signals within a plant;

Having, described my invention, '1 claima:

1. An electric signal lamp, *comprisingca casing having a plurality of window openings inspaced alignment longitudinally thereoL-a zclosurerzcap for one end of the casin and anselectriczlight bulb sustaining and refiectorsfixtureconsisting'of a sheet metal strip of channel .form 11'1""CIYOSSE- section having Sectionsof the web: ati intervals longitudinally thereof' bent laterally?v inward: -:of the channel in opposing divergent-pairs;teach pair, with a portion of each of the side* wa;llsrof the channeltherebetween providing'a reflector in registration with a. relative window openingv in the casing for an electric lightbulb 'socketed in an aperture of the web intervening and from which a pair of sections of the webdiverge;- said fixture having an end thereof fixed tosaidi-cap to dependingly sustain the same withirr.c-the casing.

2. A fixture for sustaining-and-providing*a"re= fiector for each of a plurality of electric lig-h-t REFERENCES CITED The following references-are of record incthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES 'PATENTS Number Name Date-s 1,108,999 Levison Sept 1, 1914 1,238,220 Thurber Aug. 28,. .1917 1,640,170- Wright. Aug. 23,; 5192.7

1,771,953 Conklin July 29,.1930 1,772,810 Jefferson Aug..12,-J.-930 1,879,801 Graham et a1. Sept. 27, 19.32 

